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Fendi

"IF variety is the spice of fashion, then Karl Lagerfeld's ladies are the new spice girls." So said Women's Wear Daily after the Fendi show and it's hard to disagree. After 35 years at the house, Lagerfeld, who also plays creative director for his own label and for Chanel, has proved himself an endless fountain of style ideas. When plucked from his imagination and placed on the catwalk, apparently randomly, it is difficult to place just what he is thinking, however. Maybe that is the point - that fashion's main man can go the whole way for you whatever mood you're in; sexy siren in plunging black silk, exotic dancer in canary yellow, daydream believer in Seventies-inspired fitted jersey or attention-grabbing goddess in empire line sleeveless chiffon. With LVMH bosses busily planning Fendi's attack on the fashion front line, Lagerfeld is clearly stating that he is ready for success in all directions. (September 20 2004, PM)